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Q. What's a mother to do when the baby is teething? I...

Q. What's a mother to do when the baby is teething? I can't figure out whether his crankiness is from teething, or from some other problem, even a new illness. There seems to be so much going on that it's difficult to figure out what is normal and what isn't. I would be so very grateful for some words of wisdom from you.

A. I don't know of any subject that has more points of view than the one you address. Even medical literature is filled with an amazing variety of opposing opinions. Hippocrates wrote about the problem and probably was as confused as most other physicians.

Teething refers to the eruption of the primary (deciduous) teeth in infancy. The first tooth, usually a lower front tooth, appears between the ages of 5 months and 7 months; the second molars come in between 20 and 30 months of age. During the time in between, the infant is progressing through many development stages, learning new activities and experiencing new adventures, and any of these factors can cause changes in behavior, mood and temperament.

However, after reviewing many articles, I am prepared to offer the following opinion. The fever, diarrhea, skin rashes, bronchitis and seizures often associated with teething do not appear to be the direct result of teething. However, drooling, restlessness, loss of appetite, thumb-sucking and gum-rubbing are indications that an infant is feeling discomfort from the process. When a child looks and acts sick it's time for a careful evaluation and a search for other causes.

If teething is your child's problem, providing a clean pacifier can help satisfy his need to chew. Nothing is very effective in diminishing his pain, but if you rub his gums with your clean finger, some of your pain will be reduced.

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